ON PRO BASKETBALL.

Sunset is near for Mourning

Kidney ailment likely to end center's career

September 13, 2002|BY SAM SMITH.

Schedule Alonzo Mourning for the Basketball Hall of Fame. He should be there soon. Because now it appears like his schedule will include mostly medical appointments.

The Miami Heat has disclosed that Mourning's kidney condition, which doctors said two years ago probably would lead to the need for dialysis or a transplant, has worsened and will sideline Mourning indefinitely, probably for the upcoming season.

That likely puts an end to the career of not only one of the elite post men of the last decade, perhaps the last era of classic centers in the NBA, but one of the most courageous and remarkable men to have played in the league.

An angry product of the Virginia foster-care system, Mourning grew into a respected spokesman for the game and a tireless worker for charities, especially those fighting the kidney condition he developed, focal glomerulosclerosis.

A little more than a year after being diagnosed with the disease that caused fellow NBA player Sean Elliott to require a kidney transplant, Mourning returned from missing almost a full year to earn a place on the NBA All-Star team last season.

It was his seventh appearance in 10 seasons, during which he also won two gold medals with the USA Basketball team and back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards while averaging 20.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and three blocks for his career.

Heat coach Pat Riley scheduled a news conference for Friday, and a spokesman for Mourning told The Associated Press that the former Georgetown All-American is in good spirits and not considering retirement.

But Mourning is 32 and facing a second missed season in the last three because of the kidney disease. He made one of the most gallant returns in NBA history last season, averaging 15.7 points and 8.4 rebounds and ranking third in the league in blocks. But it was a difficult season for Mourning and Miami as the team finished out of the playoffs for the first time in Riley's 20-year coaching career. Mourning's condition was so questionable early in the season that the team at times feared for his life.

Mourning, however, was determined to return to the NBA and beat the disease, much as he smashed through every other barrier and obstacle in his life. But this time it seems as if even the famous scowl and the immense pride won't be enough.

It is a huge blow to the Heat, which hoped to return to the playoffs. With Mourning unable to play regularly at the start of last season, Miami opened 5-23 before making an unsuccessful late-season playoff bid. With the addition of promising rookie Caron Butler, Riley was counting on a return to contention with Mourning.

That's questionable now, although Mourning's condition certainly will be a larger concern for the team.

If it's the end for Mourning as a player, his career is worthy of Hall of Fame admission. Although he never played in the NBA Finals, Mourning joined Shaquille O'Neal, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson to form perhaps the best group of centers in NBA history--and probably the last group of true centers.

Mourning was the consolation prize in maybe the best center draft ever when he went to Charlotte one selection after O'Neal in 1992. He was a tempestuous, brooding, relentless figure then, prone to screaming at reporters and referees and scowling at teammates and opponents.

But as he developed into one of the leading figures in the NBA, Mourning went through a remarkable transformation. He became something of a senior figure in the league, calming young players and standing up to lead the 2000 U.S. Olympic gold-medal team.

It was on his return from the Olympics that his condition was diagnosed. But Mourning never complained or appeared embittered.

He talked constantly about his great good fortune in life, about his ability to play the game he loved so much for so long. He acknowledged fearing for his life upon hearing the diagnosis, but decided to fight for it instead.

He visited hospitals during his recovery to encourage other kidney patients and raised millions of dollars for kidney research through a foundation he created. The basketball writers, once wary of being around him, honored him for community service this past season.

He joked about the dozens of pills he took and conceded he feared every visit to the doctor. But he said he was determined to live and be productive without any regrets.

Alonzo Mourning became a real winner. And I'm not afraid to say I root for him.